Independence Bowl still in Aggies’ sights

COLLEGE STATION — Catch a couple of days off after a long football season and there’s plenty to catch up on at the School That Never Sleeps:

• Bowl bound, but where?

Back during the Baylor game live chat on Nov. 21, I wrote this: “Should the Aggies win this one I’m hearing the Independence Bowl is a STRONG possibility (if the Ags lose to Texas).”

That hasn’t changed, except that the Valero Alamo Bowl had great interest in the Aggies had Oklahoma State defeated Oklahoma. The Cowboys didn’t, so the Indy Bowl (in Shreveport on Dec. 28) still appears to be the lead dog for A&M and all of its fans’ services, although that will change should Nebraska upset Texas in Saturday’s Big 12 title game in Arlington. We’ll know a lot more Sunday.

• Coaching changes?

I expect there will be some shake-up on coach Mike Sherman’s staff early in the offseason. Considering the Aggies are ranked 107th nationally in total defense, there probably should be. Also, there have been a slew of special teams miscues over the last quarter of the season. As I wrote earlier this season, keep an eye on defensive backs coach Chuck McMillian as a rising star on this staff.

Also, offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell’s name has surfaced in KC-area newspapers as a potential replacement for Mark Mangino at Cromwell’s alma mater of Kansas, should Mangino be shown the way to Highway 70 (it runs both ways).

Cromwell, a former standout KU quarterback and NFL All Pro at defensive back, has worked in the shadows at A&M, considering Mike Sherman calls the plays in this offense. Cromwell has done an exceptional job with the receivers, however, and of course he’s beloved at KU as a record-setting option QB.

• Ray Turner saga

Coach Mark Turgeon said this week that his program is still waiting word from the NCAA clearinghouse on whether freshman forward Ray Turner, who’s enrolled at A&M, will be eligible to play this season.

The Aggies — both Aggies — play a doubleheader tonight at Reed Arena. The No. 10 women play host to Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m., while the No. 19 men follow at 8 p.m. against Prairie View A&M.